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Subsection
Theological Dictionaries of Latin & Greek Terms
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Order of Contents
Exegetical & Theological
. Old Testament 6+
. New Testament 8+
Theological
. Dictionaries 15+
. Encyclopedias 3
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Exegetical & Theological Dictionaries
on the Old & New Testaments
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On the Old Testament & Hebrew Words
Beginner
** eds. Unger, Merrill F. & William White, Jr. – Nelson’s Expository Dictionary of the Old Testament (Nelson, 1980) 520 pp. Evangelical. Entires are in English. This is the same as Vine’sComplete Expository Dictionary of Old & New Testament Words, with Topical Index (Nelson).
Unger (1909–1980) was a major Old Testament scholar and an Independent, Fundamentalist, dispensationalist.
Richards, Lawrence – Expository Dictionary of Bible Words (Regency Reference Library, 1985) 735 pp. Index of: Hebrew, Greek, Subjects, Scriptures Evangelical
** Mounce, William – Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old & New Testament Words Buy (Zondervan, 2006) 1,344 pp.
This has been called “The Vine’s of the 21st century!” No knowledge of Greek required.
Features: “The most accurate, in-depth definitions based on the best of modern evangelical scholarship. Both Greek and Hebrew words are found under each English entry… Employs both Strong’s and G/K numbering systems…” – Amazon
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Intermediate
** Harris, R. Laird, Gleason L Archer, Jr., Bruce K. Waltke – Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament Buy (Moody, 2003) 1,152 pp. Strongs Index Abr Contr There is also a two vol. edition of this. Evangelical
This work is arranged by Hebrew roots in the order of the Hebrew alphabet. If this is too advanced for you, find the Strong’s number for your Hebrew word, and then use the Strong’s Index to find the word in this volume.
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Adavanced
Entries are according to the Hebrew alphabet.
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Evangelical
1600’s
Leigh, Edward – Critica Sacra [Sacred Criticisms], in Two Parts, the First Containing Observations on All the Radices, or Primitive Hebrew Words of the Old Testament, in Order Alphabetical… 3rd ed. enlarged (London, 1650) 272 pp. Index of: Hebrew Words, Proper Names, Scriptures The 2nd Part in the volume encompasses all the Greek words of the NT and is separately paginated.
Leigh (1602–1671) was an English, lay writer (especially on theology) and Westminster divine. He was also a politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1645 to 1648.
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2000’s
** ed. VanGemeren, Willem A. – New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology & Exegesis, 5 vols. Buy (2012)
ed. VanGemeren, Willem A. – A Guide to Old Testament Theology & Exegesis: the Introductory Articles from the New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology & Exegesis (Zondervan, 1999) 235 pp. ToC
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Liberal
Jenni, Ernst, Claus Westermann – Theological Lexicon of the Old Testament, vol. 1, 2, 3 (Tsadeh-Tav) trans. Mark Biddle Buy (Hendrickson, 1997)
Botterweck, G. Johannes, Helmer Ringgren, Heinz-Josef Fabry – Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament, vol. 1 (Aleph), 2 (Bedel-Gala) Pre, 3 (Gillulim-Haras), 4 (Zev-Chametz), 5 (Chamar-YHWH), 6 (Yobel-Yatar), 7 (Ke-Leetz), 8 (Lakad-Mor) Pre, 9 (Marad-Naqa) Pre, 10 (Naqam-Azab) Pre, 11 (Ezz-Paneem), 12 (Pasach-Qoom) Pre, 13 (Qotz-Raqia) Pre, 14 (Rasa-Sakan) Pre, 15 (Sakar-Tarshish) Pre, 16 (Aramaic Dictionary) Pre Buy (Eerdmans, 2003) ToC 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 Review
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On the New Testament & Greek Words
Beginner
Vine, W.E., Merrill F. Unger & William White, Jr. – Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old & New Testament Words, with Topical Index (1940; Thomas Nelson, 1996) 1,160 pp. ToC Greek Word Index Topical Index Evangelical. Entries are in English. The NT section follows the OT section (the first 320 pp.); the two sections are separately paginated.
** Mounce, William – Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old & New Testament Words Buy (Zondervan, 2006) 1,344 pp.
This has been called “The Vine’s of the 21st century!” No knowledge of Greek required.
Features: “The most accurate, in-depth definitions based on the best of modern evangelical scholarship. Both Greek and Hebrew words are found under each English entry… Employs both Strong’s and G/K numbering systems…” – Amazon
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Intermediate
One Volume
A New Testament Wordbook for Translators (American Bible Society, 1964) 85 pp. Entries are in English.
** Bromiley, Geoffrey – Theological Dictionary of the New Testament [by Kittel]: Abridged in One Volume Buy (Eerdmans, 1983) 1,390 pp. Table of Greek Words Table of English Words Entries are Greek words transliterated into English.
This is a one volume abridgement of Kittel below, which is liberal. English only users are able to use this by using the Table of English Words. A very handy and cost-effective volume.
ed. Verbrugge, Verlyn D. – New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology: Abridged Edition (Zondervan, 2004) 730 pp.
This is an abridgement of the 3 vol. set edited by Colin Brown below.
ed. Beetham, Christopher A. – The Concise New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology & Exegesis Pre (Zondervan Academic, 2021) ToC Terms are in Greek.
This is an abridgement of the five volume work below edited by Silva.
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Multi-volume
ed. Brown, Colin – The New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology, vol. 1 (A-F), 2 (G-Pri), 3 (Pri-Z) (Zondervan, 1975) Evangelical Able to be used by English-only readers; entries are alphabetical in English with Greek words provided.
ed. Townsley, David & Russell Bjork – Scripture Index to The New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology… (Regency Reference Library, 1985) 312 pp.
** ed. Silva, Moises – The New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology & Exegesis, 5 vols. Ref Buy (2014) This is the 2nd edition to Brown’s work above. Entries are by the Greek alphabet.
See this review.
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Advanced
Entries are according to the Greek alphabet.
1600’s
Leigh, Edward – Critica Sacra [Sacred Criticisms], or Philological & Theological Observations upon All the Greek Words of the New Testament, in Order Alphabetical… 3rd ed. enlarged (London, 1650) 292 pp. Index of: Subjects, Scriptures This work is bound after Leigh’s, Critica Sacra, in Two Parts, the First Containing Observations on All the… Hebrew Words…
Leigh (1602–1671) was an English, lay writer (especially on theology) and Westminster divine. He was also a politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1645 to 1648.
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1800’s
Cremer, Hermann – Biblico-Theological Lexicon of New Testament Greek 4th ed. trans. William Urwick (Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1895) 955 pp. no ToC Index of Greek Words Synonyms Scriptures Subjects Hebrew Words Liberal
** Kittel, Gerhard – Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, vol. 1 (Alpha-Gamma) Pre, 2 (Delta-Eta), 3 (Theta-Kappa) Pre, 4 (Lambda-Nu), 5 (Xi-Pi), 6 (Pi-Rho) Pre, 7 (Sigma), 8 (Tau-Upsilon) Pre, 9 (Phi-Omega) Pre, 10 (Indices) Pre Buy (Eerdmans, 1964) ToC 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 Liberal
Kittel (1888–1948) was a German, Lutheran scholar and lexicographer of biblical languages. This is still a standard work and the most in-depth in the genera.
Analyzes the main, theologically significant words in the New Testament by tracing their meaning in classical Greek literature, inter-Testamental literature, the New Testament and sometimes in Church history. Very in-depth.
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1900’s
Balz, Horst & Gerhard Schneider – Exegetical Dictionary of the New Testament, vol. 1 (Aaron-Henoch), 2 (Ex-Opsonion), 3 (Pagideuo-Ophelimos) (Eerdmans, 1990)
This is a translation of a German work (which are typically liberal). It includes a definition of every Greek word appearing in the New Testament. It stands in the tradition of Kittel, and owes a debt to it, but brings the discussions up-to-date.
“Newer linguistic viewpoints are taken into consideration, but no definite system of linguistic theory is presupposed.” (Foreward)
Spicq, Ceslas – Theological Lexicon of the New Testament, 3 vols. tr. James D. Ernest Buy (Tyndale, 1995) ‘The little Kittel’
Spicq (1901-1992) was a French, Dominican (Romanist) biblical scholar.
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Theological Dictionaries
1800’s
Robinson, John – A Theological, Biblical & Ecclesiastical Dictionary (1835) 1,110 pp.
Robinson (1774–1840) was an Anglican cleric and scholar, known as a historian.
Buck, Charles – A Theological Dictionary containing… a Comprehensive View of Every Article in the System of Divinity, an Impartial Account of all the Principal Denominations… together with… Ecclesiastical History new American ed., rev. George Bush (Philadelphia: Thomas Cowperthwait, 1838) 500 pp.
Buck (1771–1815) was an English, Independent minister and theological writer, known for this work. Bush (1796–1859) was an American presbyterian, biblical scholar, pastor, abolitionist and academic, who later (after this work), in 1845, turned to Swedenborgianism.
Eden, Robert – The Churchman’s Theological Dictionary 2nd ed. rev. (London: John W. Parker, 1845) 420 pp.
Eden (1799–1870) was an Anglican bishop.
Farrar, John – A Biblical & Theological Dictionary: Illustrative of the Old and New Testaments (1857) 648 pp.
Farrar (1802–1884) was a British, Methodist minister and a tutor and governor at several Wesleyan colleges.
Blunt, John Henry – Dictionary of Doctrinal & Historical Theology (London: Rivingtons, 1872) 840 pp.
Blunt (1823–1884) was an Anglican clergyman and divine.
Benton, Angelo A. – The Church Cyclopedia, a Dictionary of Church Doctrine, History, Organization & Ritual (1886) 760 pp. associated with the Protestant Episcopal Church
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1900’s
eds. Harrison, Everett, Geoffrey Bromiley & Carl Henry – Baker’s Dictionary of Theology (Baker, 1979) 565 pp. Contr Abr Evangelical
This has some top-notch evangelical and reformed contributors.
** ed. Elwell, Walter – Evangelical Dictionary of Theology (Baker, 1984) 1,241 pp. Contr Abr Evanglical
Muller, Richard – Dictionary of Latin & Greek Theological Terms: Drawn Principally from Protestant Scholastic Theology 1st. ed. Buy (Baker, 1985) 338 pp. Index (in English) Evangelical / Reformed The 2nd ed. is revised and expanded, with numerous more philosophical terms.
This covers the Post-Reformation era and is for the advanced.
Pelikan, Jaroslav – The Melody of Theology: a Philosophical Dictionary (Harvard Univ. Press, 1988) 285 pp. Index of Entries
Pelikan (1923–2006) was an American scholar of the history of Christianity, Christian theology, and medieval intellectual history at Yale University. He initially was a conservative Lutheran pastor (LCMS), but went into the liberal, ELCA, Lutheran denomination. He turned Greek Orthodox after this dictionary was published, in 1998.
This work is written in a popular style, has a limited number of entries, and doesn’t have bibliographic or source information.
** ed. Wright, David F., Sinclair B. Ferguson, J. I. Packer – New Dictionary of Theology Buy (IVP, 1988) 757 pp. Contr Abr
“Concise yet comprehensive coverage; Biblical, systematic and historical theology; 210 international contributors; Thorough discussion of topical issues; Over 630 articles; Full cross-reference system.”
eds. Cameron, Wright, Lachman, Meek – Dictionary of Scottish Church History & Theology (IVP, 1993) 925 pp. Conservative
The theological articles in this dictionary are geared towards the doctrine’s development in Scottish Church history. Insofar as that goes, it is excellent.
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2000’s
** Davie, Martin, Tim Grass, Stephen R. Holmes, et al. – New Dictionary of Theology: Historical & Systematic 2nd ed. Pre Buy (IVP, 2016) 1,049 pp. ToC Contr Index of: Articles, Names, Subjects Preface by Sinclair Ferguson & David Wright
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Liberal
1900’s
A New Dictionary of Christian Theology eds. Alan Richardson & John Bowden (SCM Press, 1983) 625 pp.
ed. Angeles, Peter A. – Dictionary of Christian Theology (Harper & Row, 1985) 225 pp. A secular publisher.
McKim, Donald K. – Westminster Dictionary of Theological Terms (KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 1996) 500 pp. Biblio
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Romanist
Roberti, Francesco – Dictionary of Moral Theology (Newman Press, 1962) 1,418 pp.
Bouyer, Louis – Dictionary of Theology trans. Charles Quinn ([NY: Desclee Co.] 1965) 514 pp.
The New Dictionary of Theology eds. Komonchak, Collins & Lane (Wilmington, DE: Michael Glazier, 1987) 1,115 pp.
Rahner, Karl & Herbert Vorgrimler – Dictionary of Theology 2nd ed. (NY: Crossroad, 1981) 555 pp.
Rahner (1904-1984) was a liberal, German, Jesuit, priest and theologian who is considered to be one of the most influential Romanist theologians of the 20th century.
A Concise Dictionary of Theology: Revised & Expanded Edition (Paulist Press, 2000) 315 pp.
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Eastern Orthodox
Bria, Iona – Dictionary of Orthodox Theology 2nd ed. (2020) 465 pp.
Bria is a minister in the Romanian Orthodox Church.
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Theological Encyclopedias
1800’s
** McClintock & Strong – Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological & Ecclesiastical Literature 12 vols. (1867-1887) Conservative
ed. Schaff, Philip – A Religious Encyclopaedia, or Dictionary of Biblical, Historical, Doctrinal & Practical Theology, vol. 1 (A-D), 2 (E-L), 3 (M-R), 4 (S-Z & Bios of Living Divines) (1891)
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1900’s
** International Standard Bible Encyclopedia ed. James Orr, etc. (1915 / 1939) Conservative / Evangelical
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Related Pages
Bible, Church History & Religious Dictionaries & Encyclopedias
Greek Dictionaries, Parsing Guides & Concordances