A Grammar of New Testament Greek

The Eerdmans Language Resources Series provides New Testament Greek enthusiasts with a unique and innovative volume covering beginning and intermediate Greek. Encompassing “morphological and syntactical material” (ix), Rodney A. Whitacre’s A Grammar of New Testament Greek introduces users to valuable and practical information concerning Koine Greek as found in the New Testament and other writings of the Hellenistic Period. Practical and informative, Whitacre’s primary goal is to make KG (as Whitacre abbreviates it), learnable and understandable through “explanation and repetition” (ix). In a word, “The main focus of this grammar is on the information necessary for reading Greek, but it also includes topics that are important for detailed exegesis and valuable in reflection” (x).

The layout of the book is efficient and engaging, divided into five primary sections and eight appendixes. Sections 1 and 2 serve as an overall introduction (or refresher for individuals returning to the language or those wishing to sharpen their skills) to the Greek alphabet, writing, pronunciation, and its basic features, such as clauses, verbal forms, nominal forms, and the parsing of the same. Whitacre adopts the Erasmian pronunciation system, which he considers to be close to Classical Greek (abbreviated CG). Through his preference, he makes the point that whether using this system, Modern Greek pronunciation, or a reconstructed pronunciation, the end goal is to learn “to read the amazing texts that have come down to us from the past” (2). Whitacre’s discussion of the key elements of verbal and nominal forms is manageable and understandable. He neatly covers both topics consecutively, allowing readers to gain all the necessary information in one place rather than piecemeal, as a traditional biblical Greek grammar would present the material.

In addition, Whitacre offers an excellent introduction and a methodical explanation of the infamous six principal parts of the Greek verb and the “six-main tense forms in Greek: the present, the future, the imperfect, the aorist, the perfect, and the pluperfect” (23-24). With the discussion of the Greek noun, Whitacre conveniently provides a side-by-side comparison of the first, second, and third declensions along with an explanation of their respective distinctions and grammatical cases. As section 2 draws to a close, he emphasizes that knowing how Greek words are formed helps provide an understanding of the language’s intricacies and an enjoyability in its reading.

In section 3 considerable space is allotted to the morphology of nominal forms. From the particulars of the Greek article, to the first, second, and third declension of nouns and adjectives, to adverbs and pronouns, Whitacre provides a comprehensive discussion of these important aspects of KG. He gives specific details on how third declensions, for example, come into agreement with first and second declensions in a clause (62). Overall, the information contained in this section is invaluable for Greek students, and a resource they will often consult.

Section 4, which is longer than the previous section, gives attention to the morphology of verbal forms. All forms of Greek verbs are discussed, and a wider presentation of the six principal parts is provided, in contrast to the forementioned introduction to this vital component of Greek. Ample coverage of the verb includes voice (i.e., active, middle/passive); moods (i.e., indicative, subjunctive, optative, and imperative); primary and secondary endings; infinitives; and participles. As with nominal forms, Whitacre provides a considerable amount of detail to the understanding, identification, and logic of verbs within clauses.

The previous sections come to a crescendo with section 5, which discusses Greek syntax and is by far the longest of the book. Though the breadth of the section may seem overwhelming to novice and former Greek students, Whitacre assures us that “this survey of the basic elements of Greek syntax is presented in such a way that it can be read through as well as consulted for reference” (169). To this end, an adjoining summarized appendix is provided capturing “selected syntax topics.” The syntactical discussion is central to Whitacre’s work, providing students with the knowledge needed to read and comprehend the logistical maneuverings of a Greek clause, whether KG or CG. Users of this work will appreciate Whitacre’s consultations with other KG and CG authorities—James H. Moulton, Robert W. Funk, Daniel B. Wallace, Stanley E. Porter, and Herbert W. Smyth, among others—as he considers their expertise in syntactical matters. In the handling of topics such as the use of the definite article, verbal aspect, prepositional phrases, and the genitive absolute, as well as in listing the “major sentence connectors and conjunctions” (350-351), Whitacre makes the syntactical discussion inviting, interesting, and inspiring. Though developing the ability to learn read Greek proficiently demands time and effort, Whitacre makes the endeavor worthy of one’s investment.

Whitacre’s work is a great achievement but does have its shortcomings. First, no cumulative vocabulary list is provided. Words and phrases appearing in the grammar are merely for illustrative purposes in all of the paradigms and sentences of the book. Second, there are no exercises; these are found under a separate title and are to be used in conjunction with the discussions and examples found in the text (ix). One valuable asset of Whitacre’s work is his awareness of outside grammarians and linguists, welcoming their perspectives on any particular morphological or syntactical issue, enriching the grammar’s presentation of KG. This is a volume well worth owning, using, and referencing repeatedly. Eerdmans is to be commended for adding this outstanding work to its Language Resources Series.

Anthony Rivera is an independent scholar.

Anthony Rivera

Date Of Review:

September 24, 2024