W. E. Vine (1873–1949)

Explaining Greek when you can use Greek is tricky enough. Explaining it when you can't is almost impossible.

It's no insult to say that this book takes on a difficult task -- trying to make clear what the words of an English translation of the Bible mean. To accomplish this task, it looks back at the Greek words -- but tends to use the English. Which, of course, means that there is confusion when different translations use different renderings of Greek words. This problem cannot really be show more solved.

The problem of bringing a theological axe to the task just makes things worse. There is a rather conservative feeling about this book. I don't know if that's really true -- but I didn't like it much. I want to interpret the text myself, and this does not help.

Of course, the real solution is ultimately to study the Greek directly. Learning Greek fluently is a difficult task -- but just learning enough to read the words, and getting a United Bible Societies edition, and a good Interlinear, and a copy of Bauer-Arndt-Gingrich-Danker, and an analytical lexicon, can have about 80% of the effect at the cost of maybe 20% of the work. It costs more than this book, but the results are a lot better.

And that's with reference to the Greek, which is the fuller part of the book. At least the Greek section can give you ideas. It's not a bad book; it's just that you'll want a lot more. The Hebrew part, by contrast, is so thin that it really isn't worth the bother. show less

The Collected Writings of W. E. Vine. This set is hardback, sadly the set only seems to be available in softback today, that is a pity because I am sure most people would be reaching for them whenever requiring to do an in depth study. Although a renowned greek scholar, his Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, testifies of that fact, he has a very easy flowing writing style. A five volume set by one of the finest Brethren writers. Unashamedly dispensational in his outlook but most Bible show more students would say his writings are all the better for that.

When I was a student at a missionary training centre, one of the Bible school teachers spoke very highly of Vine and recommended we purchase the set if possible. It was a recommendation I fully agree with. Twenty three years after purchase they are still my first port of call when I need an accurate understanding of an area of Scripture. My only criticism is that they don't cover the whole of the New Testament, but many themes are covered in addition as well as the book of Isaiah. As the first 4 volumes were printed in 1985 and the fifth in 1986, I waited until all five were available together, I should have paid the extra postage and bought them as soon as they were available.

A great investment in understanding God's Word in greater depth. show less

Vine's is a classic reference of the Greek language that is indespensible for the biblical scholar. A bit dated, but cheap and good.

Additianal contributions by Merrill F. Unger and William White, Jr make this expository dictionary second to none. Whilst not covering every word in Scripture, it doesn't miss out many and what it does mention are covered in depth. I find it much more informative than Strong's or Young's concordances. I have had it and used it for many years and is the first book I reach for if I need to understand a biblical word in depth.

It is a book every Bible student needs in their library, - within show more easy reach. show less