Book Review
Douglas S. Huffman, THE HANDY GUIDE TO NEW TESTAMENT GREEK:
GRAMMAR, SYNTAX, AND DIAGRAMMING, (Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids, MI),
2012.
I must say I was surprised when I received this publication,
as I was expecting a larger book. While the size of the publication is
surprising, it is not small in content. Its size makes sense because it is a guidebook,
able to be carried with a Greek New Testament.
I am delighted with this guide. I am not a Greek scholar,
but I am a Bible student. While I have had Greek in college, like many Pastor I
have not kept up with it beyond the occasional uses. I have worked with the
language, which has entailed thick lexicons, grammars, and dictionaries to find
meanings and syntax. This guide will help its users to save time. This guide
does not relieve one from the necessity of having to use books for deep study.
It is only a guide, but it does speed up the process. It will increase the students’
efficiency by a quick reference to find the needed basic information.
The guide is in three sections. Part 1 is Greek Grammar. Beginning
with the Greek Alphabet carrying through the verbs, it gives a summation of
Greek Grammar. Overall it gives good concise definitions of every part of
grammar. It is reinforced by charts on almost every page.
Part 2 is Syntax Summaries. Syntax is where the language
becomes real: it is the practical outworking or usage of the grammar. This will
be the section that gets the most use by Bible students. This part gives us concise
definitions and relationships reinforced by NT examples that are helpful. While
not chart heavy like the grammar section, what charts are found are very
helpful.
Part 3 is Phrase Diagramming. Diagramming the original text
does two things: First, it aids in understanding the meaning of the text.
Second, it gives one the flow of the argument of the author. It provides step
by step instructions on different types of diagramming, plus how to deal with
special issues and problems in diagramming.
This guide is a very good addition to any Pastor’s or Bible
student’s library. While it is intended
for a second-year Greek student, those who even have a beginning knowledge of Greek
could use it. It will set on my desk and be the first used to begin any word
or Greek study. It is a handy addition.
Thanks to Kregel Publishing
for supplying a copy of this book for the purpose of this review.
