Word studies are both challenging and a lot of fun for those of us who like language. Many Bible teachers spend much time doing word studies. This method takes the specific words in a Bible passage and looks them up from the original language, Greek, Hebrew, or Aramaic, to seek the meaning behind the usage of the word in that passage.
Names of God, Jesus, or The Holy Spirit
This type of Word study is really an eye-opener into who the Godhead is. By looking up all the names used in the Bible to describe God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit, their personalities, positions, power, authority, and relationships to each other and with mankind is revealed.
- God-El Shaddai-God All Sufficient-Genesis 31:29
- God-Adonai-Lord-Genesis 15:2
- Jesus-Seed of David-2 Timothy 2:8
- Jesus-Son of God-Luke 1:35
- Holy Spirit-Spirit of God-Genesis 1:2
- Holy Spirit-Spirit of Life-Genesis 7:22
Meanings of one word used many ways
This is both an interesting and enlightening study. In English, so many words are used for several meanings. For example the word, “meet”. It means come into someone’s presence, join or touch and an organized event. Many of the Biblical words are the same, changing the whole meaning of the Scripture verse simply by the correct usage of the word. This type of study needs Bible dictionaries, commentaries and word study books to help clarify the correct meaning. You can also get a clearer meaning by just simply reading the whole chapter or book it is within. The setting, the way the passage is addressing different people, the person speaking all add to the correct definition of the word.
Study each word in a verse
This type of word study is best when you have time to really explore the Word. By taking one verse at a time, and checking all the words, you can really get a clearer meaning of the text. Especially be watchful of words like “if”, “when”, “can”, “will”, etc… All those defining words are really important. Here is a good example: 2 Chronicles 7:14 King James Version (KJV) “14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” Two words stand out really well, “if” and “then”. If my people, then I will. Those types of words clarify the truth of the Scriptures.
Some books you can use to help your study time become easier.
- A good study Bible-there are many on the market that has marginal study notes. (example: Thompson Chain Reference)
- “Zondervan Handbook to the Bible”–Zondervan Publishing House
- “Vincent’s Word Studies”-Hendrickson Publishers
- “Strong’s Concise Concordance and Vine’s Concise Dictionary of the Bible”-Thomas Nelson Publisher
- “Complete Evangelical Parallel Bible”-Hendrickson Publishers
- Also a good dictionary like Webster’s