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Tip 2.1: Using Grammars in BibleWorks

An important part of the exegetical process is the proper understanding of the grammar and syntax of the passage. In this Classroom Tip we will see how to use grammars as exegetical tools within BibleWorks.

Grammars Included in BibleWorks

There are a number of grammars included in the BibleWorks base package, plus some additional grammars available as add-on modules. Included in the BibleWorks base package are the following grammars.

Greek grammars by:

• Wallace (new to BW8)
• Robertson
• Burton
• MacDonald
• Davis
• Conybeare & Stock

Hebrew grammars by:

• Waltke & O'Connor (new to BW8)
• Joüon-Muraoka (new to BW8)
• Gesenius/Kautzsch/Cowley

Accessing Grammars in BibleWorks

There are two ways to access grammars in BibleWorks.

• The first way is to select the grammar from the main BibleWorks menu. Select Resources, and then choose either Greek Grammars or Hebrew Grammars.
• The second way to open a grammar in BibleWorks is to use the Resource Summary Tab.  The second way to open a grammar provides faster access to exegetically-useful information.

There are two types of links to the grammars that appear in the Resource Summary Tab.

• The first type of link is the Topical Link. The Topical Link links to information pertaining to the form of the word under the cursor in the Browse Window.
  
• The second type of link is the Biblical Reference Citation. The Biblical Reference Citation links to every place in the grammar when the Browse Window verse reference appears.
  

Using Grammars in Exegesis in BibleWorks

There are three types of information that you can find (and find very quickly) when you open the grammar using the Resource Summary Tab.

Viewing Discussions of Major Categories

The Topical Links provide easy access to discussion about the form of the word under the cursor in the Browse Window.

For example, place your cursor on the word bi,bloj in Matthew 1:1 in the BGT version. In the Resource Summary Tab, you can click on the link in Robertson to view his discussion of the nominative case. You can click on Wallace to view his discussion of the nominative case, as well as his discussion of person and number.

Finding Scripture Passages Discussed in the Grammar

The Biblical Reference Citation links provide easy access to every place where the grammar discusses the Browse Window verse. In this way it is easy to see what the grammarian has to say about the interpretation of the Browse Window verse.

While in Matthew 1:1, clicking the Biblical Reference Citations to Robertson opens the grammar to Robertson's discussion of Matthew 1:1. In these places we find Robertson's suggestions that bi,bloj does not contain an article because titles are already specific, and that the word Cristo.j is a proper name. Wallace lists the word bi,bloj as an example of a nominative absolute.

Displaying Lists of Usage Categories

One of features of the structure of Wallace's Greek syntax is that each section begins with a list of the usage categories discussed within that section. This feature can be used as an easy-access reminder of the syntax usage categories. Click on the Topical Links to open the grammar and see the syntax usage categories.

For example, place your cursor on the word bi,bloj in the Browse Window at Matthew 1:1. Now click on the Topical Link for The Nominative Case under Wallace in the Resource Summary Tab. Clicking on this link opens Wallace to the discussion of the nominative case, and lists the major syntactical usage categories for the nominative.

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