How To Do A Biblical Word Research Without Being A Biblical Scholar

By Marlene Yundt

ANYONE can take a Bible word to its original Hebrew or Greek meaning. You need not be a Bible scholar. Let me explain:

Although I prefer NASB for study, for purposes of Biblical word research I begin with the KJV. Why? It is easier to trace the word origin. You also need to start with the right study library. Here is how to build that library to do your scholarly research.

Let’s begin with Psalm 51:5 AND THE WORD “iniquity.” Once you have located the word you desire to research, go to Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible by James Strong; Thomas Nelson Publishers. Locate the word and note the number beside it. In this instance, it is 5771. Go to the back of Strong’s to the “Hebrew and Chaldee Dictionary”. Look up the number – 5771 – and find Psalm 51:5 and its Hebrew word (also note the word written in the Hebrew language). There is a referral back to 5753 and to the meaning, “perversity.”

Now, open the Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words by W.E. Vine; World Bible Publisher. Look up “iniquity.” Note that there are several meanings. Look for either Psalm51:5 or the closest meaning to it. The word Anomia also refers to the Psalms and states it is found about seventy times. This literally means “lawlessness.” It indicates the meaning as lawlessness or wickedness.

From Vine’s go to the Englishman’s Hebrew and Chaldee Concordance of the Old Testament. Turn to the “English and Hebrew Index” in the back of the book. Look up “iniquity.” Find the Hebrew word from Strong’s Concordance and locate the page number: 910. Here you will find Psalm 51:5 “I was shapen in iniquity.”
Using the New Testament words, you would go through the same process, only using Wigram’s Englishman’s Greek Concordance of the New Testament (numerically coded to Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance) by George V. Wigrams; Baker Book House.

From these resources, you discover the true root meaning of the word and can now create your interpretation.

Why do this exhaustive research? For accuracy! As Christians, we are to be “Bereans,” taking everything we hear and read back to God’s Word. Research it. Do not be a “silent sponge.” I find that the Holy Spirit “prompts” me when I hear something that does not sound right – even in my own Bible study or church meeting. Accuracy is everything. What you heard and read, you are inclined to believe that it must be true. Discover for yourself.

Now, you not only have the steps to research, you also have the library resources to do the job. Other resources for a good library might include: Christian Theology by Millard J. Erickson, Baker Book House; The Wycliffe Bible Commentary; Church History In Plain Language by Bruce L. Shelley and Evangelical Dictionary of Theology by Walter A. Elwell, editor, Baker Book House.

Marlene K. Yundt writes from Portland, Oregon. marlene.yundt@comcast.net