A Manual Grammar of the Greek New Testament

by H.E. Dana

The distinctive value of this work lies in the simplicity and clarity with which it presents the vital principles of Greek grammar. Each point is fully elucidated and illustrated by vivid, obvious examples from the New Testament. While it is a compendium of all the essential points of Greek New Testament grammar, it is at the same time a handbook pre-eminently adapted to all the needs of the average student. It is equipped with paradigms, the principal parts of irregular verbs, and an English-Greek vocabulary. Thoroughly abreast with the latest researches and discoveries in Koiná Greek, the authors have succeeded in producing a work which promises to become a most teachable and up-to-date Greek New Testament grammar for classroom use. A new index to Scripture References was added in the 1957 printing.

Genres: Reference, Theology, Language, Nonfiction, New Testament

368 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1927

Reviews

[Panclasta]

I would give this book 2.5 stars, but definitely not 3. It is useful as a reference if you need an intermediate level grammar based on the 8 case system, and does contain plenty of useful information. The reason it gets the low rating is because it is so biased in its presentation of Greek Grammar. The book is much more prescriptive than descriptive in its presentation of grammar. Dana and Mantey demonstrate either a profound ignorance of Indo-European Linguistics (even for their time), or are too concerned with being good Baptists to teach the subject well. Their treatment of the subject basically formed the basis for cottage industry of "8 case bashing" that occurs in New Testament Greek Circles. Unfortunately, this is the only option I know of if you are continuing into Intermediate Greek after learning the basics from W.H. Davis' "Beginner's Grammar Of The Greek New Testament". A.T. Robertson's "Grammar of Greek New Testament in the Light of Historical Research" is a much better work based on the 8 case system, but more advanced, and is still used for reference by today's N.T. Greek teachers.

Probably the best thing to do if you are teaching yourself Greek at the intermediate level is to use this book together with "Greek Grammar Beyond The Basics" by DB Wallace. Also, reading "Linguistics For Students Of New Testament Greek" by David Alan Black prior to beginning your intermediate-level Greek studies will allow you to get through Dana and Mantey unscathed.