PBS1106 Introduction to New Testament Greek (4 credits) at United Lutheran Theological Seminary Paulinum

What is New Testament Greek?

Koine Greek, also known as Alexandrian dialect, common Attic, Hellenistic, or Biblical Greek, was the common supra-regional form of Greek spoken and written during the Hellenistic period, the Roman Empire and the early Byzantine Empire.

Overview

And, finally, Alexander’s Hellenistic political and cultural transformation of the Mediterranean and the Near East explains why Greek is the original language of the New Testament. To reach the largest audience in the region where Christianity was born, Greek was the obvious language to use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the New Testament in Greek or Hebrew?

The New Testament was written in a form of Koine Greek, which was the common language of the Eastern Mediterranean from the conquests of Alexander the Great (335–323 BC) until the evolution of Byzantine Greek (c. 600).

Is Modern Greek the same as biblical Greek?

Koine can be termed as the immediate ancestor to modern Greek. This language is also called biblical, New Testament or patristic Greek as it was the language used in the New Testament and of church fathers. The grammar and pronunciation of modern Greek has traces in Koine Greek.

Who wrote the New Testament Bible?

Traditionally, 13 of the 27 books of the New Testament were attributed to Paul the Apostle, who famously converted to Christianity after meeting Jesus on the road to Damascus and wrote a series of letters that helped spread the faith throughout the Mediterranean world.

What was the New Testament written on?

Some very early New Testament manuscripts and fragments thereof are papyrus, but parchment, when available, became the best writing material until the advent of printing. The majority of New Testament manuscripts from the 4th to 15th centuries are parchment codices.

Can modern Greek speakers understand biblical Greek?

It depends how you define easy obviously, but as a simple answer I’d say yes. The Greek language, from Mycenaean to Classic to Koine to Byzantine to Katharevousa to Modern Standard Greek (basically Dhimotiki) are a continuous evolution of the same language.

Can Greeks understand medieval Greek?

I would say: no. But most Greek do learn at least some Classical Greek in school. So, as apmoy said, it depends on their education.

Is Modern Greek useful?

The answer is yes. Nowadays, it is very useful to learn Greek, because the Greeks were the greatest scientists, inventors, Philosophers that are still relevant today. We learn Greek basically to read and study ancient texts written originally.

Are Greek and ancient Greek the same?

“Ancient Greek” is a very general term for all the different forms of Greek that existed before Modern and Medieval Greek. Archaic and Classical Greek with their many dialects, such as Attic, Doric, Ionic, and Aeolic among others, are Ancient Greek as well as Koine Greek, the common language of the Byzantine Empire.

Is Greek hard to learn?

Despite the fact that Greek roots are found throughout the English language, Greek is among the hardest languages for English speakers to learn, according to studies conducted by the US Department of State.

Is Greek the oldest language in Europe?

The Greek language is the oldest language in Europe, spoken since 1450 years before Christ. Currently Greek is spoken in Greece, Albania and Cyprus. About 13 million people still speak Greek today.

Is Greek worth it to learn?

By learning Greek, one can get a deeper understanding of European history and culture. The Greek alphabet is the base of the Roman alphabet. Knowing Greek will help one learn other European languages, such as French or English, more easily. An estimated twelve percent of the English vocabulary has Greek origins.

How long does it take to learn Greek Bible?

If you’re working on your own, then the question of how long it will take will depend on how much time you spend each day. If you can spend an hour each day for 5 days each week working on your Greek, you should be able to finish beginning Greek in about 36 weeks.

What is the Greek word for Bible?

The Bible takes its name from the Latin Biblia (‘book’ or ‘books’) which comes from the Greek Ta Biblia (‘the books’) traced to the Phoenician port city of Gebal, known as Byblos to the Greeks.

Is duolingo Greek Koine?

The Duolingo platform allows for several alternate forms, which could encompass a range of AG dialects (Attic & Koine). The Modern Greek course is a good litmus test for this.

Do Greeks speak English?

Although the official language in Greece and Athens is Greek, English is also widely spoken, so you shouldn’t experience any problems when visiting the city. English is very widely spoken in Greece, especially in the most touristy parts of the city.