Greek Words and Hebrew Meanings: Studies in the Semantics of Soteriological Terms

This contribution to the interpretation of New Testament terms consists of detailed semantic studies of five important groups of words which are essential to Biblical theology. The author's purpose is to ascertain the meaning with which certain important words were used by the writers of the New Testament documents. Such studies, he believes, must precede any attempt to write Biblical theology. The terms studied are the Greek words for 'propitiation', 'ransom', 'righteousness', 'eternal life' and 'spirit'. In each case Dr Hill examines the use and meaning of these words in Classical Greek, in the Septuagint, in Philo and in the inter-testamental literature, as well as the corresponding Hebrew words in the Old Testament, the Dead Sea Scrolls and Rabbinic literature. All this background study is then brought to bear on the interpretation of these terms in the New Testament. The studies confirm the indebtedness of New Testament theological terms to the Old Testament and in particular to the language of the Septuagint.