Review: Basics of Biblical Greek Grammar, Fourth Edition

Now in its fourth edition, Bill Mounce’s classic Basics of Biblical Greek Grammar continues its legacy as the go-to Koine Greek textbook. As is common in most new editions, the overall content has remained the same, with a few minor adjustments in design and language. This new edition has removed some of the seemingly unprofessional aspects, such as the owl. Section overviews provide a fly-over of each chapter’s content, making it easier for students to understand what to expect. Especially useful is how chapters begin with exegetical insights, which make the examples feel relevant and practical rather than made-up. Mounce has a special eye for ministerial application, which makes this text shine among other, more technical teaching grammars.

This book succeeds in offering the basics of biblical Greek, suitable for classrooms, seminaries, churches, and independent study. Moreover, the Zondervan Greek publications offer a suite of useful works that guide Greek scholars through their language journey. Interestingly, this edition is smaller and thicker than its previous iterations. I find the size to be more clunky, as it requires flipping pages more often and having less room for notes. Nonetheless, this is a minor detraction from an otherwise terrific grammar.

(A complimentary review copy was given in exchange for an honest review.)

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