“This reader’s edition is a Greek New Testament student’s dream: it combines the latest edition of the UBS Greek New Testament with a contextualized translation at the bottom of each page of all vocabulary items occurring 30 times or fewer in the New Testament. An appendix includes vocabulary for words occurring more than 30 times in the New Testament.”
—Christian Century
“No doubt the biggest obstacle to reading the Greek NT with proficiency is acquiring an adequate vocabulary. After taking an elementary-level Greek class, most students will have learned the meanings of words that occur fifty times or more in the Greek NT. With the completion of an intermediate-level course, many will know words that occur in the range of twenty to thirty times or more. But what then? There are certainly many good tools available for building one’s Greek vocabulary further. Yet reading the text cannot await mastery of all NT vocabulary. At some point, a student must simply jump in and begin reading. The obvious problem, though, is that reading the text is seriously slowed when one is continually looking up unfamiliar words in a lexicon.
“This is where The UBS Greek New Testament: A Reader’s Edition comes in. It employs the text of the UBS4 used by most beginning Greek students. As the subtitle indicates, it is A Reader’s Edition. Its goal is to enable students to acquire the skill of reading the Greek text without undue dependence on other tools. The student who has a first year level Greek vocabulary is provided, at the bottom of each page, with glosses for words that occur thirty times or less. As one comes across these words in the text, they are numerically marked to facilitate finding the corresponding number and definition at the bottom. As a result, students spend less time searching a lexicon and more time in the text—and are, thus, enabled to read larger sections more quickly.
“Other features of the running dictionary at the bottom of each page include the following: (1) The definitions for each word are chosen according to the context. Thus, the reader is given a concise meaning that fits the context, rather than a list of possible meanings from which to choose. (2) If significant differences of opinion exist regarding a given word, alternate definitions are provided. (3) On occasion, one is given the meaning of an idiomatic phrase or word combination—if it is hard to determine this by merely combining the individual meanings of the words. For example the definition given for hyperbole in Rom 7:13 is “outstanding quality.” However, since it appears in this verse with the preposition kata, the idiomatic rendering “beyond measure” for this combination is also provided. (4) Irregular forms of words are identified and defined. So, even though the common verb echo (“I have”) occurs more than thirty times, its irregular aorist subjunctive form (schomen) found in 1 John 2:28 is defined. (5) All defined verbs, participles, and infinitives are parsed.
“In addition to the running dictionary, the Reader’s Edition contains an appendix that provides translations of all words occurring more than thirty times in the Greek NT. The maps from the UBS GNT are included as well, and the burgundy hard cover resembles the UBS GNT although, the size is larger (approx. 6 x 9). Unfortunately, the price is steep (list price: $69.95)—especially when compared to a similar product, A Reader’s Greek New Testament by Zondervan (2nd ed., 2007), which is more affordable (list price: $34.99). However, I prefer the UBS Reader’s Edition for the following reasons: (1) The Zondervan Reader’s GNT (2nd ed.) is based on the Greek text that underlies the TNIV (Today’s New International Version) while the UBS Reader’s Edition contains the standard critical text of the UBS4 and the NA27, used by most students and scholars. (2) The layout of the running dictionary in the UBS Reader’s Edition is much more user-friendly, appearing in two numbered columns. The definitions in the Zondervan Reader’s GNT appear in a paragraph and are, in my opinion, more difficult to find. (3) The appendix in the UBS edition with definitions of words occurring thirty times or more is more extensive than the similar glossary found in the Zondervan edition. (4) The UBS Reader’s Edition includes parsing information for defined verbs, participles, and infinitives.
“This last point is also a potential weakness. Students who consistently rely on the running dictionary to do their parsing for them will weaken their abilities. Another danger is that a student may become too dependent on the running dictionary and spend little time becoming familiar with and learning from the standard Greek-English lexicon, BDAG. Neither of these concerns, though, prevents me from commending this resource. The Reader’s Edition of the UBS GNT is an extremely useful tool that will benefit those wanting to become more proficient readers of the Greek NT."
—The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology
Average Rating: 5 out of 5 stars(5 out of 5 stars)
8 of 8 Reviews Showing:
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Robbie Johnson (Charlotte, TN), March 18, 2009
Absolutely Perfect! I am so glad I purchased the UBS Greek Reader's Edition. I would definitely suggest to others.
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Bob James (Aurora, IL), January 20, 2009
Compared to the Zondervan Greek Reader's edition, the UBS is far easier to read and the layout of the vocabulary notes is superior also.
The printing is easy on the eyes and you don't have to struggle to discern the letters as you do with the Zondervan. Finding references as you read is a snap because there are two separate, well defined columns as opposed to Zondervan's running everything together horizontally.
But it misses that fifth star because the way it is bound is very pedestrian compared to Zondervan's elegant, gold-edged, soft Italian duo-tone.
IF ONLY we could have a Greek Reader's Edition with Zondervan's stylish binding and the UBS' text. I would buy it!
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by J. David Barkley (Sierra Vista, AZ>), September 16, 2008
I've only been looking for this book for fifty years ! Would that I had had it during the years of full ministry, but now in "retirement" serving a small church, I bring it to Bible Study as a trusted companion. It is beautifully composed , and its weight and narrow width mean I can take it on trips without adding much bulk. As Professor Fee says , it is the act of sitting down and reading the Greek text without Arndt-Gingrich at the ready, makes it an enjoyable experience. Reminds me of listening to a professor from the Hebrew University in Israel, teaching at PSR ( I was on study leave) and enter4ed into the Hebrew text of Isaiah so profoundly that this student felt I was listening to Isaiah talk to God. So in reading the Reader's Greek NT, for the FIRST time, I find myself closer to Jesus' words - or Paul's or Peter's , as I hold this book in my hand. Euxaristo to Theo mou pantote peri humon epi ta xariti tou Theou ta dotheisa humin en Xristou Iasou.
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Robert Simpson (Newberg, OR), April 21, 2008
As an intermediate Greek student, it is important to be able to read the New Testament in Greek. The USB Greek New Testament allows me to do just that. The font is large and easy and the inclusion on each page of all words occurring 30 or less times has me moving through the passages quick enough for comprehension. No halting on a difficult word every half sentence and losing the flow. I could not be more pleased.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Juan Martinez (Miami, FL), February 01, 2008
Very Well made. I am very satisfied with this Greek New Testament. Nice Size Font. I would recommend to anyone is learning to read Greek and to those who are a year into Greek.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Gerlin Valencia, Ph.D. (Louisville, Ky), January 17, 2008
First of all, the Customer service at Christianbook.com is prompt, excellent, and dedicated to servicing their customers well;
secondly, the book is an excellent tool for young NT Greek scholars; though, its size is a little bit intimidating to most people who are used to either the Nestle-Aland or the UBS's 4th ed. Nonetheless, the book simply rocks. I know that once the student gets used to the book's format and easy-to-read layout, he or she will simply enjoy meditating and growing spiritually through reading the New Testatment about Jesus Christ.
Best Wishes,
Gerlin Valencia, Ph.D.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Eric Miller (New Hyde Park, NY), December 12, 2007
Excellent tool for the intermediate student of New Testament Greek. Pages are beautifully laid out, easy to read, and the vocabulary helps on each page are generally well chosen. A good bridge to becoming independent of referring constantly to the English text or lexicon for the semi-advanced student.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Rick Penney (Sioux Falls, SD), November 29, 2007
This is an excellent volume. The pages are so crisp and the text is beautiful. While the text is UBS4, the font resembles the NA27 instead of the italicized UBS4. I personally like that better. It's also a genuine hard back volume unlike the thin cover of the UBS4. The only issue that some might have is it's size - full size instead of the other more compact Greek testaments. But to me that's just fine. It gives it a sturdy feel. Despite the higher price, this one is much better than the Zondervan version which follows the NIV textual decisions.
With the footnotes covering occurrences under 30 and the glossary covering everything else, every word in the NT is defined within this volume. There are also lexical forms and helpful parsings of more difficult forms right there in the footnotes. The footnotes are in list form which is much better than an endless stream of linear definitions. I can't be more pleased.
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