The Development of Greek and the New Testament: Morphology, Syntax, Phonology, and Textual Transmission

by Chrys C. Caragounis

Publisher:

Mohr Siebeck

, 2004

Overview

The introduction of the Erasmian pronunciation in 1528 had two dire consequences: Greek was divided into ancient and modern, and the pronunciation applied made impossible the detection of many communicatory aspects and obscured many critical texts. Based on morphological and syntactical analysis, Chrys C. Caragounis argues for the relevance of later Greek (up to Neohellenic) for the interpretation of the New Testament.

Key Features

• Presents new methodologies for interpreting the New Testament
• Explores different forms of Greek for a fuller understanding of New Testament interpretation
• Studies extrabiblical literature to bring context to biblical literature

Contents

• Introduction: The Greek Language as a Historical Problem
• Part One: Evolution and Relevance
  • The Unity and Evolution of the Greek Language
  • The Relevance of Later Greek for the New Testament
• Part Two: Developments in Morphology and Syntax
  • The Transition from Attic to Neohellenic in Morphology and the New Testament
  • Syntactical Developments
  • The Significance of the Developments for the Exegesis of the New Testament
• Part Three: Pronunciation, Communication & Textual Transmission
  • The Historical Greek Pronunciation and the Dichotomy of the Language
  • The Acoustic Dimension in Communication
  • The Impact of the Historical Greek Pronunciation on the Transmission of the New Testament Text

Top Highlights

“The use of the language by the totality of its members (speakers), must, of necessity, represent all the uses (meaning-units) that the language is capable of.” (Page 325)

“Homeros there has never been a day when Greeks have not expressed both Time and Aspect through their verbs” (Page 4)

“a clear tendency to exchange irregular or odd forms for regular ones” (Page 103)

“In time, however, the compound form, too, came to assume the same meaning as the simple form.” (Page 113)

“the NT is that it often includes within a relative clause a superfluous demonstrative” (Page 148)

Praise for the Print Edition

Here we have to do with an impressive work, whereby it is hoped that New Testament scholars will open their eyes to important but neglected aspects of the language of the New Testament and that this will broaden their linguistic horizon.

—Peter van der Horst, professor emeritus, Utrecht University

This highly readable survey is a veritable mine of information and detailed scholarship and is to be highly recommended to all scholars of the Greek New Testament.

—J. Keith Elliott, professor emeritus, University of Leeds

Product Details

• Title: The Development of Greek and the New Testament: Morphology, Syntax, Phonology, and Textual Transmission
• Author: Chrys C. Caragounis
• Series: Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament
• Volume: 167
• Publisher: Mohr Siebeck
• Print Publication Date: 2004
• Logos Release Date: 2018
• Pages: 739
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Bible. N.T. › Language, style; Greek language, Biblical › History
• ISBNs: 3161482905, 05121604, 9783161482908
• Resource ID: LLS:DVLPMNTGRKNWTST
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-29T23:25:37Z

About Chrys C. Caragounis

Chrys C. Caragounis received his doctorate of sacred theology from Uppsala University, where he has also taught as professor. He is currently a professor of New Testament at Lund University.